Earth Day 2016: Events, Things To Do In NYC
New York City Green Festival Expo
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Celebrate Earth Day at the 5th Annual New York City Green Festival Expo. Stop by the Javitz Center from April 15th – 17th and learn how to lead a healthier and more sustainable life. Enjoy free cooking demos, yoga sessions, activities for kids, inspirational lectures, as well as a screening of the film Cowspiracy. Listen to expert speakers give advice on how families and business can "go green" or check out all of the delicious vegetarian cuisine at the food court. Admission for cyclists and kids 16 years and younger is free. See website for opening hours and ticket prices.
Kokedama Workshop at KOSAKA
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Get your hands dirty with landscape architect and horticulturalist EunYoung Sebazco. Together, you'll create a traditional Japanese Kokedamas to take home with you at the end of the session. A Kokedama is a ball of soil that is covered in moss, ornamental plants and hung on string or placed on ceramic plates. Learn how to brighten up your space while enjoying Japanese confectioneries as well as green tea. You'll also be able to find out more about Sebazco's new website LiveRice.com, which celebrates rice and all its many facets. Class takes place on Sunday, April 17th at 3 p.m. Admission is $40.
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Put on your walking shoes and get ready to hit the pavement because the Earth Day 5k Green Tour kicks off on April 22nd at 9 a.m. This race helps raise money for year-round environmental education programs while you get to take in the great sites of the city, including the Lowline, the eco-friendly 1 Hotel Central Park and a natural food cooking school. You'll even get a sneak peak of a new nature documentary. Lunch will also be provided by the Natural Gourmet Institute, so come hungry and ready to explore! Learn more here.
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Head over to Union Square from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 17th and celebrate Earth Day as a New Yorker. Learn how to connect to environmental campaigns, find out more about green lifestyle products, and get to know the interesting people that spend their days doing great green work! There will be dozens of exhibitors, interactive displays, live performances, as well as plenty of kids activities. Plus, the folks from the #Carfreenyc initiative will be there to discuss their citywide campaign to promote greener and healthier modes of transportation in NYC. Connect with thousands of green-minded New Yorkers at this fun all-day event.
Earth Day in Prospect Park
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Spend the Sunday before Earth Day celebrating in Prospect Park. Alliance naturalists will be teaching participants how to tie a fishing knot, attach bait, and cast a line to try and hook a fish. The musically-inclined are welcome to make instruments out of recycled materials and jam out in an exciting performance and parade led by Bash the Trash. Stop through the Audubon Center and learn how to identify birds, use binoculars and manuever field guides. Those looking to become a Nature's Helper can do so by cleaning up the lake and spreading mulch throughout the park. Events start at 1 p.m. Find out more info here.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
